Comments on: Don't forget the alt texthttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text/
Comments on MetaFilter post Don't forget the alt textTue, 21 Apr 2009 11:54:40 -0800Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:54:40 -0800en-ushttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss60Don't forget the alt texthttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text
It's a simple story about a responsible owl, trying to raise a curious (human) son and a geeky (human) daughter in their giant treehouse while dealing with his longtime bear buddy (and honey researcher), Steve. Though it <a href="http://www.cracked.com/forums/topic/35472/daisy-owl/0">debuted</a>, humbly enough, in the Cracked.com forums, <a href="http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2009/01/radar-daisy-owl-by-ben-driscoll/">Benjamin Driscoll</a>'s drolly sweet comic <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com">Daisy Owl</a> soon gained a loyal following, earning <a href="http://www.cracked.com/article_16652_how-use-ms-paint-keep-flies-away.html">a regular feature</a> there (courtesy of David Wong) and routinely making the front pages of sites like Digg and Reddit. In March 2009, Driscoll went pro, quitting his job to work on the comic full-time and making Daisy Owl one of the few <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_self-sufficient_webcomics">self-sufficient webcomics</a> on the net. Its quirky, character-driven humor, focused mainly on children, friendship, and families, has earned more than a few comparisons to <i>Calvin and Hobbes</i>, as well as plenty of <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/fanart.php">fan art</a>. Highlights: <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-07-16">Basement</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-07-27">Honey</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-09-18">Parenting</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-10-06">Shampoo</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-11-25">Skittle on the Moon</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-12-10">Nightmare</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2009-01-16">Movie Night</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2009-03-23">Thrift Store</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2009-04-02">Classic Dad</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/wallpapers.php">Wallpapers</a>post:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:50:52 -0800RhaomidaisyowlcomicwebcomiccrackedinterviewfanartBy: yeozhttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2535917
Daisy Owl is a great webcomic. I wish he would do prints in 8x10 instead of 8.5x11, although, I've ordered several anyway.comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2535917Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:54:40 -0800yeozBy: clockworkjoehttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2535926
I found Daisy Owl through the Something Awful webcomics thread but I don't see the Calvin and Hobbes relation. The humor is very dry and the art isn't nearly as vivid as C&amp;H. I do think it's comparable to Achewood though and I am a fan of Daisy Owl. How is Driscoll making a living with Daisy Owl?comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2535926Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:57:56 -0800clockworkjoeBy: Mister_Ahttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2535937
<a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-11-14">This one</a> is for you, MetaFilter, in honor of the <a href="http://www.metafilter.com/65155/Physics101-stumper">great plane-on-a-treadmill kerfluffle</a> of 2007.comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2535937Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:02:51 -0800Mister_ABy: boo_radleyhttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2535955
In a similar vein: <a href="http://nedroid.com/">Nedroid is pretty great.</a>comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2535955Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:17:28 -0800boo_radleyBy: Rhaomihttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2535960
<a href="http://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2535926">clockworkjoe</a>: "<i>I found Daisy Owl through the Something Awful webcomics thread but I don't see the Calvin and Hobbes relation. The humor is very dry and the art isn't nearly as vivid as C&amp;H. I do think it's comparable to Achewood though and I am a fan of Daisy Owl. How is Driscoll making a living with Daisy Owl?</i>"
I saw plenty of references to the idea in various blogs and forum posts I came across while I was getting the links (although none of them were fit to post). I think it's due to the fact that most of the other major comics are so steeped in <a href="http://www.explosm.net/comics">shock humor</a>, <a href="http://www.qwantz.com">high-concept absurdity</a>, or <a href="http://www.xkcd.com">ironic geek in-jokes</a> that a more traditional comic with some heart will tend to stand out for it, and get compared to other comics that were known for that quality.
FWIW, I also saw comparisons to Achewood, but I just never got into that one and decided to skip the reference since I couldn't really judge its accuracy.
As for income, the site itself says "Daisy Owl is supported by signed prints, shirts, donations and happy thoughts."comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2535960Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:21:15 -0800RhaomiBy: sperosehttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2535963
Goddamnit, I have work to do today.comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2535963Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:31:04 -0800speroseBy: odinsdreamhttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2535974
"Nightmare" is awesome... wow.comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2535974Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:43:58 -0800odinsdreamBy: COBRA!http://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2535975
<em>FWIW, I also saw comparisons to Achewood, but I just never got into that one and decided to skip the reference since I couldn't really judge its accuracy.</em>
Really? I like <em>Daisy Owl</em>, but to me the <em>Achewood</em> similarity is juuuuust short of hard to take. The art, the lettering, the grayscale, the layout, the speech patterns, even the alt-text closing zingers; it's all very, very <em>Achewood</em>. I don't think Driscoll's ripping Chris Onstad off-- despite the similarities, <em>Daisy Owl </em>is clearly its own thing-- but I get a very, very strong feeling that Driscoll was internalizing a lot of <em>Achewood</em> when he was developing the strip.
<em>most of the other major comics are so steeped in shock humor, high-concept absurdity, or ironic geek in-jokes </em>
God, yeah, and man, that's tiring.comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2535975Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:45:07 -0800COBRA!By: Rhaomihttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2535982
<a href="http://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2535975">COBRA!</a>: "<i>Really? I like Daisy Owl, but to me the Achewood similarity is juuuuust short of hard to take.</i>"
To be clear, when I said I "never got into that one" I meant Achewood itself, not the similarity. That is, I don't read Achewood enough to know if the comparison is apt. But looking at some old strips the visual influence is very noticeable. Driscoll did mention it as an inspiration, though, so I guess it makes sense.
<a href="http://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2535974">odinsdream</a>: "<i>"Nightmare" is awesome... wow.</i>"
It's especially fun when you read the alt text and then go on to the next one.comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2535982Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:56:32 -0800RhaomiBy: DevilsAdvocatehttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2535984
I've been a fan since Rhaomi <a href="http://www.metafilter.com/75146/Fiction-pure-fiction#2272573">linked</a> to it in a comment here several months ago. And I suppose it's a matter of taste, but I think Rhaomi missed some of the best ones in the "Highlights" above, so let me suggest my own: <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-07-05">Getting Along</a> (early, art style still developing) - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-07-11">The Conveyor Belt of Infinity</a>/<a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-07-13">Junk</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-08-11">The Rest Stop</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-09-10">Air Mattress</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-09-17">Expiration Dates</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-10-09">Repairs</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-11-08">Medical Science</a>/<a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-11-11">Recovery Monkey</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-12-04">Dinosaur vs. Firetruck</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-12-19">Smooth</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2009-03-25">PSA Theater</a> - <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2009-04-11">Laundry Pile</a>comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2535984Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:57:37 -0800DevilsAdvocateBy: clockworkjoehttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2535992
Some other great webcomics that do not rely on shock humor, high-concept absurdity or ironic geek in-jokes
<a href="http://www.dawnoftimecomics.com/index.php">Dawn of Time</a>
<a href="http://www.octopuspie.com/">Octopus Pie</a>
<a href="http://www.jsayers.com/thingpart/thingpart.html">Thingpart</a>
<a href="http://gastrophobia.com/">Gastrophobia</a>
<a href="http://nonadventures.com/">Wondrella</a>
<a href="http://boxbrown.com/">Bellen</a>comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2535992Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:04:09 -0800clockworkjoeBy: Inspector.Gadgethttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2535993
Yeah, sort of like a PG version of Achewood. Great find, thanks.comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2535993Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:04:57 -0800Inspector.GadgetBy: aspohttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2536000
I never considered having an extra alt text joke Achewoody. Webcomicy yes, but Achewood is just one of many comics that do that, and I'm pretty sure they weren't the first.comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2536000Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:11:37 -0800aspoBy: joelfhttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2536001
my fave is <a href="http://www.cracked.com/article_16859_knife-boots.html">knife boots</a>comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2536001Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:11:41 -0800joelfBy: inigo2http://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2536008
Who?comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2536008Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:17:22 -0800inigo2By: HostBryanhttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2536034
For what it's worth (nothing), I thoroughly enjoyed this comic and have never particularly enjoyed Achewood.
Never disliked it, either, it just never really clicked with me.comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2536034Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:40:01 -0800HostBryanBy: Atom Eyeshttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2536036
Your webcomic is good and you should feel good.comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2536036Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:41:20 -0800Atom EyesBy: owtytrofhttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2536052
Thanks for this... I had a hard time ripping myself away(I started at the beginning and have read to Jan 09 so far) just to post here. Lots of smiles to be had here.comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2536052Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:55:05 -0800owtytrofBy: Decimaskhttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2536120
Daisy Owl is linked in my brain to the gorgeous B&amp;W webcomic <i><a href="http://www.abominable.cc/2007/06/20/episode-1/">The Abominable Charles Christopher</a></i> because I found them within days of each other. TACC is updated roughly weekly, so there's less of a backfile to go through than you think. Highly recommended.comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2536120Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:41:24 -0800DecimaskBy: billyfleetwoodhttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2536153
Comparing things to Calvin and Hobbes is just silly.
I like this comic, but the art seems almost like an afterthought. this would work equally as well as just words.
My favorite online combination of words and pictures is <a href="http://www.wetherobots.com/2008/12/12/fishes/">We the robots.</a>comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2536153Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:58:58 -0800billyfleetwoodBy: webmutanthttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2536312
It <i>does</i> remind me of Achewood. Except this is funny.comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2536312Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:01:40 -0800webmutantBy: pointilisthttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2536568
I have been thinking of dinosaur atoms all week. Dinosaur atoms- <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2009-04-17">everywhere</a>.
This cartoon has heart.comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2536568Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:58:57 -0800pointilistBy: malthashttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2536669
Wow, yeah, I love this webcomic. Thanks!comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2536669Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:22:19 -0800malthasBy: Tesseractivehttp://www.metafilter.com/81039/Dont-forget-the-alt-text#2536755
Oh wow, I've never heard of this one but I like it a lot. There goes my morning...
Also, <a href="http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-09-22">IANAL</a> jokes? Daisy could be one of us!comment:www.metafilter.com,2009:site.81039-2536755Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:14:34 -0800Tesseractive